• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.716-721
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• 2010

The aim of this study is to investigate the serum cholesterol level of patients who visited Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University to predict stroke, in Korea. In the time of period June 15th 2009 to June 20th 2009, 45 patients visited Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University to check the risk of stroke. We checked their blood to find out the serum cholesterol level and investigated their past history according to Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Male has higher risk of coronary heart disease than the female. The average of the total serum cholesterol of the participants was lower than the average of Korean. The percentage of the participants who have less HDL-cholesterol than 40 mg/dL was 33.3% and this result is less than the average percentage of Korean. Only 8.9% of the participants were placed in group who need to use lipid-lowering drug to reduce the lipoprotein density. Checking the characters of the person is necessary to use lipid-lowering drugs. This study can be the baseline data of actual condition of serum cholesterol level.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-35
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• 1984

Since the first report of Drury and $Szent-Gy{\ddot{o}}rgyi$ in 1929, the inhibitory influences of adenosine on the heart have repeatedly been described by many investigators. These studies have shown that adenosine and adenine nucleotides have overall depressant effects, similar to those of acetylcholine. Heart beats become slow and weak. It is also well known that adenosine is a potent endogenous coronary vasodilator. Many investigations on the working mechanisms of adenosine have been focused mainly on the effects of the coronary blood flow. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory action of adenosine on sinus node are not well understood yet. Thus, this study was undertaken to examine the behavior of rabbit SA node under influence of adenosine. In these series of experiments three kinds of preparations were used: whole atrial pair, left atrial strip, and isolated SA node preparations. The electrical activity of SA node was recorded with conventional glass microelectrodes 30 to 50 $M{\Omega}$. The preparations were superfused with bicarbonate-buffered Tyrode solution of pH 7.35 and aerated with a gas mixture of $3%\;CO_2-97%\;O_2$ at $35^{\circ}C$. In whole atrial pair, adenosine suppressed sinoatrial rhythm in a dose-dependent manner. Effect of adenosine on atrial rate appeared at the concentration of $10^{-5}M$ and was enhanced in parallel with the increase in adenosine concentration. Inhibitory action of adenosine on pacemaker activity was more prominent in the preparation pretreated with norepinephrine, which can steepen the slope of pacemaker potential by increasing permeability of $Ca^{+2}$. Calcium ions in perfusate slowly produced a marked change in sinoatrial rhythm. Elevation of the calcium concentration from 0.3 to 8 mM increased the atrial rate from 132 to 174 beats/min, but over 10 mM $Ca^{+2}$ decreased. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on sinoatrial rhythm developed very rapidly. Atrial rate was recovered promptly from the adenosine-induced suppression by the addition of norepinephrine, but extra $Ca^{+2}$ was less suitable to restore the suppression of atrial rate. Adenosine suppressed also atrial contractility in the same dosage range that restricted pacemaker activity, even in the reserpinized preparation. In isolated SA node preparation, spontaneous firing rate of SA node at $35^{\circ}C$(mean{\pm}SEM, n=16) was $154{\pm}3.3\;beats/min. The parameters of action potentials were: maximum diastolic potential(MDP), $-73{\pm}1.7\;mV: overshoot(OS), $9{\pm}1.4\;mV: slope of pacemaker potential(SPP), $94{\pm}3.0\;mV/sec. Adenosine suppressed the firing rate of SA node in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect appeared at the concentration of $10^{-6}M$ and was in parallel with the increase in adenosine concentration. Changes in action potential by adenosine were dose-dependent increase of MDP and decrease of SPP until $10^{-4}M$. Above this concentration, however, the amplitude of action potential decreased markedly due to the simultaneous decrease of both MDP and OS. All these effects of adenosine were not affected by pretreatment of atropine and propranolol. Lowering extra $Ca^{2+}$ irom 2 mM to 0.3 mM resulted in a marked decrease of OS and SPP, but almost no change of MDP. However, increase of perfusate $Ca^{2+}$ from 2 mM to 6 or 8 mM produced a prominent decrease of MDP and a slight increase of OS and SPP. Dipyridamole(DPM), which is known to block the adenosine transport across the cell membrane, definately potentiated the action of adenosine. The results of this experiment suggest that adenosine suppressed pacemaker activity and atrial contractility simultaneously and directly, by decreasing $Ca^{2+}-permeability$ of nodal and atrial cell membranes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.515-523
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• 2000

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) play an important role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Moreover, platelets are also important blood cells that can aggravate myocardial ischemic injury. This study was designed to test the effects of PMNs and platelets separately and together in provoking cardiac dysfunction in isolated perfused rat hearts following ischemia and reperfusion. Additional control rat hearts were perfused with $75{\times}10^6$ PMNs, with $75{\times}10^6$ platelets, or with $75{\times}10^6\;PMNs+75{\times}10^6$ platelets over a five minute perfusion followed by a 75 min observation period. No significant reduction in coronary flow (CF), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), or the first derivative of LVDP (dP/dt max) was observed at the end of the observation period in any non-ischemic group. Similarly, global ischemia (I) for 20 min followed by 45 minutes of reperfusion (R) produced no sustained effects on the final recovery of any of these parameters in any group of hearts perfused in the absence of blood cells. However, I/R hearts perfused with either PMNs or platelets alone exhibited decreases in these variables of $5{\sim}10%$ (p＜0.05 from control). Furthermore, I/R hearts perfused with both PMNs and platelets exhibited decreases of 50 to 60% in all measurements of cardiac function (p＜0.01). These dual cell perfused I/R hearts also exhibited marked increases in cardiac myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity indicating a significant PMN infiltration, and enhanced P-selectin expression on the coronary microvascular endothelium. All cardiaodynamic effects as well as PMN accumulation and P-selectin expression were markedly attenuated by a recombinant soluble PSGL-1 which inhibits selectin mediated cell adhesion. These results provide evidence that platelets and PMNs act synergistically in provoking post-reperfusion cardiac dysfunction, and that this may be largely due to cell to cell interactions mediated by P-selectin. These results also demonstrate that a recombinant soluble PSGL-1 reduces myocardial reperfusion injury by platelet and PMNs interaction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2012

A cross-sectional analysis of blood pressure (BP) changes and the current prevalence and distribution of hypertension among age groups in Korea were conducted. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse (PP) pressures were evaluated. Residents visiting a local Community Health Center for a health check-up and/or participating in the Health Promotion Program were included for the analyses. A total of 6,570 subjects (2,809 men, 3,761 women) were divided into five age groups: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and $70\leq$ years. Comparisons were made between sex and among age groups. SBP and DBP were continuously elevated, while men showed higher levels than women until their mid-60s; then, the trend was reversed. DBP in men became elevated from their 30s, reaching the highest in the 40s then slowly decreasing. DBP in women increased up to their 40s and 50s, then reached a plateau. PP increased rapidly from the 50s in both sexes. The major contributor of age-related BP elevation may be large artery stiffness in men, particularly from their 50s, while the blood pressure elevation of women may relate to diverse factors including large artery stiffness, stroke volume, and ventricular ejection rate. The rapid elevation of PP after the 50s in both men and women could represent a risk of cardiovascular or coronary mortality, particularly with increasing age. The current data showed a higher rate of hypertension in both sexes compared to previous reports. When those with both high-normal BP and hypertension are looked at in combination, BP management of the target population should be drastically elevated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.651-659
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• 2020

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across the world, and gold-standard treatments such as percutaneous coronary intervention and artery bypass grafting have various limitations including myocardial damage and subsequent maladaptive cardiac remodeling. To overcome this, stem-cell therapies are emerging as a promising strategy for cardiovascular regeneration. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have high potential to proliferate and differentiate into endothelial cells for vascularization and tissue regeneration, and several clinical trials have explored EPC function in tissue repair in relation to clinical safety and improving cardiac function. Consequently, EPC has been suggested as a feasible stem-cell therapy. However, autologous EPC transplantation in cardiovascular disease patients is restricted by risk factors such as age, smoking status, and hypertension that lead to reduced bioactivity in the EPCs. New approaches for improving EPC function and stem-cell efficacy have therefore been suggested, including cell priming, organoid culture systems, and enhancing transplantation efficiency through 3D bioprinting methods. In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of EPC characteristics, therapeutic approaches, and the current state of clinical research into EPCs as stem-cell therapy for cardiovascular disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 1998

Nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation in vascular smooth muscle involves not only activation of guanylate cyclase but also hyperpolarization of the membrane. It has been shown that depolarization decreases the [$Ca^{2+}$] sensitivity of myosin light chain kinase in arterial smooth muscle, and nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation was attenuated in this situation. However, why potassium inhibits or attenuates the action of EDRF/NO is not clear. Therefore, we investigated the magnitude of relaxation and cGMP contents using measures known to release NO, such as photorelaxation, photo activated NO-mediated relaxation, and NO-donor (SNP)-mediated relaxation in porcine coronary arterial rings in which contractile conditions were made by different degree of depolarization, i.e., contraction in response to U46619 or U46619 plus KCl. In all cases, the magnitude of relaxation was significantly greater (P＜0.05) in U46619-contracted rings than in U46619+KCl-contracted ones. Although accumulation of cGMP was evident with three measures employed in the present study, no difference was found in cGMP contents between U46619 and U46619+KCl conditions, indicating that the diminished relaxation in KCl containing solution is cGMP-independent mechanism(s). To understand this further, cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ changes due to NO were compared in rat thoracic aorta by exploiting photoactivated NO using streptozotocin (STZ) that was contracted with either NE or KCl. Fura-3 $[Ca]_{cyt}$ signal caused by NO was small and transient in high $K^+$-, but large and sustained in NE-contracted aorta. The inhibitory potency of STZ expressed in terms of $IC_{50}$ was 5.14 and 3.88 ${\mu}M$ in NE and in high $K^+$, respectively. These results suggest that modification of the cellular mobilization of $Ca^{2+}$ rather than cGMP levels may be an important mechanism for the NO-mediated relaxation when vascular membrane is depolarized, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 1999

The activities of myocardial antioxidant enzymes are known to increase in the hearts preconditioned with the brief episodes of ischemia. This study was undertaken to elucidate the possible involvement of adenosine in the stimulation of myocardial catalase induced by the brief regional ischemia in rabbit hearts. Coronary artery descending the middle anterior wall of left ventricle was occluded for 15 min, followed by 1 hr of reperfusion. Upon reperfusion after the brief ischemia, the activity of catalase increased significantly in both ischemic and non-ischemic parts of myocardium. Pretreatment of the heart with theophylline, a non-specific adenosine receptor blocker, completely abolished the increase of catalase activity in both the ischemic and non-ischemic regions of myocardium. On the other hand, the administration of exogenous adenosine instead of the ischemia failed to increase the catalase activity in in vivo hearts. Moreover, adenosine infusion did not affect the catalase activity in the isolated, perfused hearts either. These results suggest that the endogenous adenosine released from the ischemic myocardium is involved in the activation of catalase induced by brief ischemia, but that adenosine may not be a final direct activator of cellular catalase in the myocardium.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

The increased potential for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth is a key abnormality in the development of atherosclerosis and post-angioplasty restenosis. Abnormally high activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is believed to play a central role in the etiology of these pathophysiological situations. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative effects and possible mechanism(s) of murrayafoline A, a carbazole alkaloid isolated from Glycosmis stenocarpa Guillamin (Rutaceae), on PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs. Murrayafoline A inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner, as measured using a non-radioactive colorimetric WST-1 assay and direct cell counting. Furthermore, murrayafoline A suppressed the PDGF-BB-stimulated progression through $G_0/G_1$ to S phase of the cell cycle, as measured by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assay and cell cycle progression analysis. This anti-proliferative action of murrayafoline A, arresting cell cycle progression at $G_0/G_1$ phase in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs, was mediated via down-regulation of the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, CDK4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). These results indicate that murrayafoline A may be useful in preventing the progression of vascular complications such as restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and atherosclerosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2004

Ischemia followed by reperfusion in the presence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) results in a marked cardiac contractile dysfunction. Amrinone, a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3, has an antioxidant activity against PMNs. Therefore, we hypothesized that amrinone could attenuate PMNs-Induced cardiac dysfunction by suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced fby PMNs. In the present study, we examined the effects of amrinone on isolated ischemic (20 min) and reperfused (45 min) rat hearts perfused with PMNs. Amrinone at $25\;{\mu}M$, given to hearts during the first 5 min of reperfusion, significantly improved coronary flow, left ventricular developed pressure (P<0.001), and the maximal rate of development of left ventricular developed pressure (P<0.001), compared with ischemic/reperfused hearts perfused with PMNs in the absence of amrinone. In addition, amrinone significantly reduced myeloperoxidase activity by 50.8%, indicating decreased PMNs infiltration (p< 0.001). Superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide production were also significantly reduced in fMLP- and PMA-stimulated PMNs pretreated with amrinone. Hydroxyl radical was scavenged by amrinone. fMLP-induced elevation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was also inhibited by amrinone. These results provide evidence that amrinone can significantly attenuate PMN-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction in the ischemic/reperfused rat heart via attenuation of PMNs infiltration into the myocardium and suppression of ROS release by PMNs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.259-266
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive role of epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG, a derivative of green tea) in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of isolated rat hearts. It has been suggested that EGCG has beneficial health effects, including prevention of cancer and heart disease, and it is also a potent antioxidant. Rat hearts were subjected to 20 min of normoxia, 20 min of zero-flow ischemia and then 50 min of reperfusion. EGCG was perfused 10 min before ischemia and during the whole reperfusion period. EGCG significantly increased left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and increased maximum positive and negative dP/dt (+/-dP/dtmax). EGCG also significantly increased the coronary flow (CF) at baseline before ischemia and at the onset of the reperfusion period. Moreover, EGCG decreased left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). This study showed that lipid peroxydation was inhibited and Mn-SOD and catalase expressions were increased in the presence of EGCG. In addition, EGCG increased levels of Bcl-2, Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase expression and decreased levels of Bax and increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in isolated rat hearts. Cleaved caspase-3 was decreased after EGCG treatment. EGCG markedly decreased the infarct size while attenuating the increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the effluent. In summary, we suggest that EGCG has a protective effect on I/R-associated hemodynamic alteration and injury by acting as an antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent in one.